The OTTER Award

We recognize that elementary children transition into chapter books at different ages and, as such, do not limit our reading or voting to a specific age or grade level.

This Washington State Award is given yearly to a transitional chapter book starting in 2017. The award is sponsored by Washington Library Association's School Library Division and is voted upon by students in Washington State.

2018 OTTER Award Winner

The OTTER Award Committee is proud to announce The Bad Guys: Episode 1 by Aaron Blabey as the winner of the 2018 OTTER Award for transitional readers.

In its second year, 5,500 students across WA state read & voted for their favorite nominee. The Bad Guys: Episode 1 received 2,024 votes.

2019 OTTER Award Nominees

The committee is excited to announce the 2019 OTTER Award Nominees:

Catstronauts: mission moon by Drew Brockington (Little, Brown)

Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras) by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay (The Innovation Press)